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RANKIN INLET, Nunavut – The federal government will invest a further $100 million over the next seven years to fully map the Arctic for those in search of resource riches.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada’s geo-mapping program provides critical knowledge for northerners who face decisions about how best to take advantage of the region’s potential mineral wealth.

The current five-year program, which is coming to an end, has produced 700 maps and led to some significant exploration for nickel and diamonds on Baffin Island.

The theme of resource development has been a fixture of Harper’s week-long tour of the North, which included announcements on resources labour training, measures first unveiled in the federal budget.

Harper says the investment is expected to generate $500 million worth of mineral exploration.

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak says she welcomes today’s news, but wants to sign a devolution-of-power agreement with Ottawa that would give the territory more control over its own resources.

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